Kittleman Presents Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal 2017

Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman presented to the county council his $315.7 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal 2017.

“This proposed CIP budget supports the county’s priorities, including education, public safety, transportation and infrastructure,” Kittleman said. “Despite budget constraints, this budget provides more county funding for school projects than FY 2016. It reflects a balanced approach to strengthening existing infrastructure, while adding new projects to support our county’s needs.”

The proposed fiscal 2017 capital budget includes $93.4 million from General Obligation (GO) bonds, including a one-time $1.9 million adjustment related to closing out a prior systemic facilities improvements project. New GO bonds for FY 2017 are $91.5 million.

Highlights of the Fiscal 2017 CIP budget include the following.

Education

$70.1 million to the Howard County Board of Education, including $44 million from county funds (a $2.3 million increase from fiscal 2016). The balance is from state funds.

GO bonds for school construction and renovation projects represent 37.5% of total GO funding for FY 2017, the highest percentage in the last four years.

$14.3 million for the new Wilde Lake Middle School construction project.

$9.9 million for Patuxent Valley Middle School renovations.

$18.3 million for Swansfield and Waverly elementary school renovations.

$14.5 million toward the construction of the County’s 42nd elementary school.

$10.3 million in county funds to complete Howard Community College’s Science, Engineering and Technology Building and $2.2 million for systemic renovations on campus.

$1.3 million toward the new Elkridge Branch Library and 50+ Center.

$2.6 million for renovations of the Central and East Columbia library branches.

Public Safety

$3.6 million toward the construction of a new fire station in Elkridge.

$9 million for a new, 30,000-square-foot fire station in Waterloo.

$1 million for planning and designing a third police station to be located in Columbia.

$10.4 million in funding for upgrades to the aging public safety radio system to ensure police, fire and emergency personnel have reliable communication equipment.

Recreation & Parks

$3.25 million for Phase 3 of Blandair Regional Park, providing a playground designed for children of all abilities, dog park, picnic shelter and area for backyard games.

Planning and design funds for an aquatics addition at the North Laurel Community Center.

Transportation and Infrastructure

$3 million for road resurfacing.

$22.9 million for road construction, including $16.5 million from excise tax funds for the county’s contribution toward expanding Maryland Route 32 from Maryland Route 108 to Linden Church Road.

$3.7 million for sidewalks, curbs and traffic improvements to promote walking, biking and public transportation.

Funding for a NEPA study to evaluate the full range of environmental impacts of a new bridge crossing U.S. 29.

$2.9 million for improvements to the Glenwood Water and Waste Water Facility in order to meet National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit requirements.

$2.8 million for the study, design and construction of additional flood mitigation and stormwater enhancement efforts in historic Ellicott City.

$46.7 million for water and sewer projects, primarily through metro district bonds and other designated resources.